The First Word: Eminent

On this day — Late reaction from the release of the House’ redistricting plan; the House passes eminent domain reform and a resolution calling on the federal government to balance its budget; and Wentworth looms as Senators cancel their trip to meet the First Lady

***Redrawing the Lines

House Redistricting Committee Chairman Burt Solomons released the first of what will be many maps — offering one permutation of what district lines might look like once data from the 2010 Census is taken into account.

While about a dozen House Republicans would get the heave-ho under Solomon’s proposal, many other Republican districts would be strengthened, helping to insulate the House’ Republican majority from the state’s changing demographics. Under the plan, Harris County would also lose one representative — Scott Hochberg and Hubert Vo’s districts were drawn together.

Although Solomons and his fellow Republicans are enjoying a 101-49 edge in the House, their largest majority ever, spectacular growth among the state’s minority populations makes it difficult, if not impossible, for the party to hold on to all its incumbents. Numerous Republican House members will be paired against each other in shrinking areas where Democrats hope to pick up seats.

“As a member, I know this is a very personal process, and I appreciate the patience and understanding that I have received from my colleagues,” Solomons said. “The map we are proposing is a fair and legal map that represents the people of Texas and our growth over the last 10 years. And I believe the members understand this growth resulted in some difficult decisions for me personally.”

Karen Loper, Vo’s chief of staff, said her boss saw trouble ahead in the proposed pairing with his Houston colleague who represents a neighboring district.

“We certainly have a great concern about combining two districts that are Voting Rights districts,” she said. “On the face of it, it looks like it would be a violation.”

The Texas House passed two pieces of legislation that were deemed a priority by Gov. Rick Perry — eminent domain reform and backing a constitutional amendment that would force the federal government to balance its budget. The Chronicle/Express-News’ Gary Scharrer reports.

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***EXTRA! READ ALL ABOUT IT!

- The Austin American-Statesman’s Mike Ward reports on how Sen. Jeff Wentworth’s relentless drive to try to pass legislation that would allow guns into buildings and dormitories on college campuses forced Democratic Senators to cancel on the First Lady of the United States.